Archive for August, 2015

I’ve spent a lot of time recently, thinking about the summer, and all that I hoped to do. The summer definitely did not turn out as planned, but there were big blessings and lessons in trusting and faith that I am eternally grateful for, and, looking back, I wouldn’t ask for anything else. I had hoped to go to California, New York, Maryland, and Disney World. Instead, it was considered a good week if I could make it out of bed and go somewhere local for a couple of hours. I love my gift of foreseeing the future, and while at times it can be frustrating not to be able to foresee my own, I certainly understand why, in the long run, that, too, is a blessing. If I knew that I would get two kidney infections, a stomach infection, have countless days with fever and pain, multiple trips to the E.R., and two hospitalizations this summer, I might have tried to build my own time machine, and get the hell out of this lifetime. However, not knowing that all of that was in store this summer, theres no time machine in my closet, and I have learned multiple lessons about my own strength and about being grateful for even the smallest moments that are pain or fever-free. I’ve also learned to submerge myself in the harmonious waves of music that has always served as my lifejacket in life, to keep me from drowning, when the storms come rolling in one after another. Literally, when I lose my breath from pain, music breathes new life into my body.

I have also found myself repeatedly thankful for social media. We hear of many negative things about social media, bullying and the loss of social interaction as a symptom of a society obsessed with technology. Very seldom do we focus on the positive aspects of social media. Lately, I have been recognizing and grateful for the positives of social media. YouTube videos have become a therapeutic outlet to share my journey and, at the same time, a motivator to connect and work with make-up, when the last thing I’m feeling is beautiful. I learned to use YouTube as my therapy, and find passion with the art of make-up, from one the greatest inspirations and make-up gurus ever born, Talia Joy Castellano.

Tomorrow is her birthday, and while she is no longer here with us in the physical form, all those that love her, have chosen to celebrate the day that she was born, and all the blessings that her life poured upon the world, in large part, through social media.

On days when I miss my long hair, and the multitude of colors that it has been over the years, I watch her videos for inspiration, to make me proud to be part of the “Bald is Beautiful” crowd. YouTube has also allowed me to chronicle the blessings and fun memories sprinkled in moments of calm before the next storm. Also, social media has allowed me to reach out, publicly, as I’ve needed a helping hand to brace the storms that illness can bestow on you financially. The response I’ve received in terms of financial donations, big and small, prayers, and care packages, has truly been overwhelming and kept me going during these last few rounds of the battle to be well. I wanted to extend my sincerest thank you and, while neither the storms nor the battle are far from over, the light at the end of the tunnel has begun to seep through and become visible, allowing me once again, to stay focused on my career goals of creating a larger platform from which to inspire, uplift and share love with all walks of life. Though most of my day tomorrow will be spent in the doctor’s office, keeping the beast at bay, I will be watching YouTube and sharing Talia’s story multiple times, with other patients and medical practitioners, who always seem to approach and say, “Hey there! What’cha watching?” I wish, more than anything, Talia could still be here, in the flesh, to celebrate her birthday Hawaiian style with her family and friends. While this is impossible, I do find comfort in knowing that she will, most certainly, be able to multi-task in spirit and be with her family, friends and drop in on me at the doctor all at the same time.

Ironically, my communication with Talia happened via the computer, and a majority of my interaction with others, is happening through e-mail. I find great joy in doing the e-mail readings because they are logistically easier, allowing me to work on them when I’m feeling well, while simultaneously preventing exposure to others, for fear of catching something because of my lowered immune system. The e-mail readings also force me to use my gift in a different way. I have to contain the energy connection, made when connecting to the composer of the e-mail, and become even more meticulous with my listening skills, to translate the messages from Spirit onto the page. There is a subtlety and precision that comes with this form of reading, that carries with it, a different type of frequency and focus needed. This e-mail-based time period of work will only enhance my gift, and from it, spiritual development has certainly emerged. Among my newly-inspired social media projects, is my account on the Periscope platform. This is a mobile cell phone app, that allows you to video yourself live, and connect with those that follow you on Periscope. This app gives me the opportunity to, once again, begin doing my radio show, Latte of Heaven, that I dearly loved doing, weekly, over the internet. I plan to broadcast, ia Periscope, once a week, Thursday nights at 7 p.m. EST, allowing for followers to ask question s and interact during each broadcast covering an array of spiritual topics, inspiration, and hopefully entertainment along the way. Of course, I will use that platform to also spread awareness about childhood cancer within the parameters of the predominantly spiritual broadcast.

I pray that as each of you look back over your summer, you find the blessings within even the darkest storms, that are there to, ultimately, teach us lessons in gratitude for life’s beautiful summer, sunny daze.